Picture Credit: Twitter

Picture Credit: Twitter

According to latest reports, Pakistan is contemplating skipping ODI World Cup staged in India next year. The development has taken place after BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced the decision of India not travelling to Pakistan for playing the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday (October 18).

In the 91st Annual General Meeting of BCCI in Mumbai, Asian Cricket Council President Shah revealed that India is ready to participate in the continental tournament at a neutral venue, but not Pakistan. The decision has left PCB miffed and are expected to take a stern decision regarding this matter.

A PCB source thinks the time has arrived for them to take decisions in the favour of their sports infrastructure. He added that the board is also aware of the financial implications to the ICC and ACC if Pakistan and India do not face multi-nation tournaments.

“The PCB is now prepared to take hard decisions and play hard ball because it is also aware that the ICC and ACC events will have to face commercial liabilities and losses if Pakistan does not play India in these multi-team events,” a senior PCB source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“The PCB is wondering in what capacity has Jay Shah given the statement that the ACC will look to relocate the Asia Cup to UAE out of Pakistan because the hosting rights were awarded by the executive board of the ACC, not the President,” the source added.

The Indian team last toured Pakistan in 2008 for playing in the Asia Cup. However, the relations between both nations were strained after the 26/11 incident in Mumbai. Since then, cricket fans wait for the clash between the arch-rivals in ICC and ACC tournaments. These games are often a sellout and have a great demand among the sponsors as well.

The ODI World Cup will take place in India in October-November 2023, while Asia Cup will tentatively be played in August.

(With inputs from PTI)